According to the Taiwan Tobacco Control Annual Report 2015 released by the Executive Yuan Ministry of Health and Welfare Health Promotion Administration, approximately 3.27 million adults aged over 18 years old are smoking; the smoking rate in adult male is 29.2% and the smoking rate for female is 3.5%. Tobacco hazard has resulted in at least 20,000 deaths in Taiwan each year and while the problems with exposure to family second-hand smoking are the most serious among children, young people and women.
To encourage the public with smoke cessation, the Executive Yuan Ministry of Health and Welfare launched the “Second-Generation Smoke Cessation Therapy Pilot Program” in 2012 for the public to receive smoke cessation services in medical institutions designated by the Health Promotion Administration. The public participating in smoke cessation program may enjoy funding for some drug expenses and there will be professionals to help them quit smoking.